The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-08-27
uUTIUY AND HEB0IsDl.
BY JAMES J. WATT.

When the ship Sunderland" left New York, bound for Montevideo, she had in part "shanghied" crew; that is, men who had been made drunk and brought on board without their knowledge or consent, just before sailing. Seamen were scarce in New York at that time, so the shipping agents had resorted to that method to furnish the vessel her complement of men.
 While she was being lowed through the narrows, the officers went forward and reused up the drunken, half stupefied men in the forecastle. The latter were a villainous- looking set of men, and, to the surprise of the mates, only few were found to be seamen. They lurched about the deck, quarrel ing and threatening violence if the ship was not put back.
 Captain White saw that he had been deceived by the. shipping agent, and on going forward ascertained that none of the crew had families or any responsible occupation. He told them they would have to make the best of the situation, as he must proceed on his voyage. It was the result of their own folly that they were on board.
 At this they refused point blank to work the ship. However, none of them dared to look into the muzzle of the captains revolver, SO the boat swain and second mate, with many kicks and blows, at last forced them to make sail, the three or four sailors going aloft to loose the canvas, while the new hands on deck did the haul ing.
 The first day at sea is always try ing one for both officers and men. A ship just leaving port is in about the condition of 8 newly rented house on the first day. The mates do not know what to expect of the crew, nor do the men know whether their officers intend to treat them with respect or to bully them. Consequently each class watches the other with distrust.
 Of course, with the "Sunderland's" crew, the day was continuous wran- gle. A part of the men not being practical sailors, they were almost useless.
 Toward night the wind increased to gale, and the frightened landsmen were driven into the rigging to reef top-sails. They had to be followed aloft and shown what to do with the reef points. The position of man upon the top-sail- yard, trying to reef heavy sail whipping in the wind, is not secure even if he is an old sailor. The 'longshoremen found they wanted both hands to hold on with. The mates managed to make them gather in the sail during steady spell, but when the ship gave lee lurch and the yard canted up at right-angle their feet slipped along the foot-rope, and letting go the sail they all grabbed for the jack-stay.
 After a great deal of exertion the officers reefed the fore and main top sails, with but little help from the seasick men. The mizzen top-sail blew away before it could be secured.
 The ship was heavily loaded and hbored badly in the brisk sea, which soon followed the coming of the gale. The captain preferred to drive her with single-reefed top-sail, for he knew. if he started nis halyards the sails would slat to pieces before his clumsy crew could smother them. Each heavy gust pressed the lee- rail down into the water, and the spray flew over the bows in continuous shower.
 
 The discomfort among the men grew more violent as darkness increased, and they began to feel the agonies of sea-sickness augmented by wet clothes and the raw, autumnal wind.
 They quickly made up their mind to mutiny; and while crouched in the lee of the deck-house to escape the spray, arranged for concerted action at the first opportunity.
 Before long voice was heard call- ing, "Stand by the weather main- bracesi' .@
 They went aft to the braces, and when the second mate noticed all z hands were there, he advanced to ask aswhy the watch below were on deck.